Simpatico Symmetry

Simpatico swans/gliding in symmetry/ tend to stay afloat.

You’ll forgive me, I hope. My brain’s lately been stuck

in meter and pace

and by sheer dumb luck.

At Salem’s Peabody Essex museum

(near spirits galore; some claim they can see ’em)

radiant symmetry sometimes can be found

in mirrored strips tented high above ground.

If one takes a step back–

from a whole, duo, or pack–

then a snap taken off-kilter,

may reveal symmetries, with nary a filter.

Finally, if you’ve stopped here before….

You know my go-to mainstay

is symmetrical reflections at the remains of a day.

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Author: Stephanie

In her spare time, Stephanie has published articles and delivered talks in arcane fields like forensic evidentiary issues, statistical presentations of human and canine DNA testing, jury instructions, and expert scientific witness preparation. She attended law school near the the banks of the Charles River and loves that dirty water; she will always think of Boston as her home. You are welcome to take a look at her Facebook author page, or follow @SMartinGlennon on Twitter and @schnitzelpond on Instagram. Bonus points for anyone who understands the Instagram handle. All content on this blog, unless otherwise attributed, is (c) 2012-2023 by Stephanie M. Glennon and should not be reproduced (in any form other than re-blogging in accordance with the wee Wordpress buttons at the bottom of each post) without the express permission of the domain holder.

21 thoughts on “Simpatico Symmetry”

    1. Thank you! I must stop rhyming now….long story. Or, rather, a very short seasonal horror story that was required to rhyme and with which I became obsessed…..

      1. A horror story makes one shudder
        But oh how fun it is mutter
        Scary stories that give such a fright
        And make you scream
        With a little delight
        So make music and song
        And rhyme all day long
        Until all the prose
        Just goes
        away

      2. Love this!
        I actually just finished up my first very short story required to be in rhyme….and found that every new format I try ends up being at very least murder-adjacent. Darned day job has really affected the way I think, but it was at least fitting for Halloween.

  1. I always love your reflections, and this time, perfect for symmetry. And I loved the mirrored reflection in the quilt and the look up at the museum. Always beautiful choices, Stephanie.

    1. Many thanks–and I had not even remembered that I quilted the swans’ reflection! And I see that quilt every day. (Always good to pause and see what new eyes might see, in any kind of art.)

    1. That’s Rufus and Brady, our beloved rescue beagles, aho we adopted a year apart and were inseparable. They were languishing in their favorite spot in the kitchen in our very old house. They mirrored each other exactly when they stretched out on the stone tiles when the sun hit them.

      The museum had an exhibit about tricks of black and white and reflected and refracted symmetrical images, and even a second later, another shot would never duplicate the one taken just taken in the tapering mirrors. Highly, highly recommend the PEM in Salem, Mass.

    1. Loved those symmetrical beagles; the younger rescue worshipped the older one (Rufus always got to choose the warmest napping spot, and Brady followed). We miss them sooooooo much.

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